March 2025 News from President Joe Therber
March 28, 2025
Dear Friends of Scecina,
We are at the midpoint of the Lenten journey toward Easter, and the much-anticipated Spring Break has begun for our students and teachers. While Spring Break may conjure images of a campus at rest, the reality during the next two months will be quite the opposite as our students call forth the gifts that God has given them.
A few nights ago, we hosted the annual President’s Academic Excellence Awards event to recognize students who have earned the Top 10 grade point averages in their respective classes. This yearly occasion also invites every senior recipient to select a mentor who has made an impact on him or her. Experiencing the depth and power of these relationships never fails to inspire the audience and affirm the wonder of students whose faith and resilience empower them to set goals, persevere, and achieve great heights as responsible stewards of their God-given minds and intellects.
Spring sports contests have begun or will soon be in full swing in baseball, boys volleyball, boys golf, boys and girls track and field, girls tennis, and softball. This spring is the second season during which our teams will be able to practice and compete in our new outdoor athletic complex, and the new grass athletic field has already hosted Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) soccer teams from Holy Spirit and Saint Philip Neri.
On May 1, we will hold the annual Scholar Athlete Awards program. This event showcases student-athletes in all Scecina sports programs who have earned a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. These awards commend students who successfully balance their educations in mind, body, and spirit, regardless of physical prowess.
Our Scholar Athlete event special guest speaker will be Mr. Donald Winston, Scecina Class of 1996, an extremely accomplished student, athlete, family leader, and business executive. While a Scecina student-athlete, Donald was a state high jump champion, all-state football player, excellent student, and varsity letter winner in football, track and field, and basketball.
Within the last month, Donald was voted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame and will be inducted later this year. Donald is an excellent Scecina success story. He personifies words I often share with prospective students, such as, “You Can Go Anywhere from Scecina.” From humble beginnings as a St. Philip Neri School graduate, Donald excelled at Scecina and then as a football letter winner at Purdue University, where he played in the Rose Bowl and teamed with future National Football League standout quarterback Drew Brees.
From St. Philip Neri, Scecina, and Purdue, Donald has become a committed and successful husband, father, and business executive. I remember Donald as a student and a student-athlete. He was consistently the first student to enter the classroom. He uniquely took advantage of the passing period minutes by sitting down, opening a book, and accomplishing even a few minutes of homework. Donald has never forgotten and continues to appreciate where he came from. He values giving back so our young people can realize and appreciate the God-given opportunities.
As we journey toward Easter and then Commencement, the Scecina Community continues to span multiple generations of supporters who all, in the immortal words of Father Thomas Scecina, “Give That Little Extra” in faith, gratitude, and service.
Thank you for being so supportive, and please stay in touch through your involvement and ideas.
Sincerely yours,
Joe Therber
President
jtherber@scecina.org
317-352-328
P.S. Don’t miss your chance to take advantage of Club 53 Early Bird pricing and a chance to win the $10,000 reverse raffle! Get your tickets by April 8 to save and secure your spot for an unforgettable night. Gather your friends, grab a table, and join us as we “Glow Crazy” in support of Scecina students! Get your tickets today!
